The Rugby Thread

[Paddingtonwolf]

21-3 so far courtesy of a VERY dodgy third Welsh try. Faletau was offside for me.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Got away with that in the end.

 

[Dinowolf]

Got away with that in the end.

I agree, but it was an exciting win.

 

[Dinowolf]

Northampton Saints sack director of rugby Jim Mallinder

Not surprised really, they've had some terrible results lately.

 

[Dinowolf]

France have sacked head coach Guy Noves after two years in charge, with Jacques Brunel replacing him.

 

[Dinowolf]

I went to watch Wasps against Sarries at the Ricoh on Sunday last, and although Wasps lost, it was good to see Itoje and Billie Vunipola back in action, before the 6N.

 

[Jabbawolf]

Seems like dissent is creeping into Rugby - referees being questioned like never before, and lots of players claiming for decisions - needs stamping out.

 

[Dinowolf]

Billy Vunipola injured at the weekend with a suspected fractured arm. Could miss the 6N.

Haskell cited for high tackle, but will only be banned for 2 weeks.

 

[Jabbawolf]

England struggling for a number 8, with Vunipola and Hughes both out - wonder if England might struggle in the 6N given these injuries and the performance of the Welsh and Irish teams in Europe.

 

[Nando]

Hope to see Dave Ewers called up as we'll be lacking grunt in the back row without Binny and Hughes. He's dovetailing superbly with Simmonds for the Chiefs at the moment.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I don't think you need to worry about Wales this 6N. The injury list is pretty apocalyptic. I reckon we might sneak fourth but nothing better than that.

 

[Dinowolf]

Eddie Jones extends his England contract until August 2021.

 

[Dinowolf]

Haskell gets a 4 week ban, must have previous, and misses the first two 6N games.

 

[Paul]

Should have been a six week, his previous good behaviour was took into account, was a bloody awful tackle.

 

[Dinowolf]

Eddie Jones has named his 6N squad

Backs: Mike Brown, Danny Care, Nathan Earle, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Jonathan Joseph, Alex Lozowski, Harry Mallinder, Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Henry Slade, Marcus Smith, Denny Solomona, Ben Te'o, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs.

Forwards: Lewis Boyce, Dan Cole, Tom Dunn, Jamie George, Gary Graham, Dylan Hartley, Alec Hepburn, Nick Isiekwe, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury, Zach Mercer, Chris Robshaw, Sam Simmonds, Kyle Sinckler, Sam Underhill, Mako Vunipola, Harry Williams.

Marcus Smith is there as an 'apprentice' player, whatever that is, and Eddie has said that Zach Mercer must show 'a willingness to do the things that hurt' if he wants to break into the side. Some pundits feel he may get a crack at Italy but I suppose it will depend if he steps up in the training camp in Portugal, as he has done for Bath in the last few weeks.

 

[Donegal Wolf]

Ireland squad announced, includes 20 year old Jordan Larmour after just 7 games for Leinster (in which he scored 6 tries), be interesting to see if he gets a start, already looks like he has pushed ahead of Kearney at Leinster

http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/sm...arts-superb-solo-try-epic-clash-thomond-park/

Forwards: Rory Best (captain), Jack Conan, Sean Cronin, Ultan Dillane, Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Dave Kilcoyne, Dan Leavy, Jack McGrath, Jordi Murphy, Peter O'Mahony, Andrew Porter, Quinn Roux, James Ryan, John Ryan, CJ Stander, Devin Toner, Josh van der Flier.

Backs: Bundee Aki, Joey Carbery, Andrew Conway, Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Robbie Henshaw, Rob Kearney, Ian Keatley, Jordan Larmour, Kieran Marmion, Fergus McFadden, Luke McGrath, Conor Murray, Johnny Sexton, Rory Scannell, Jacob Stockdale.

Bastereau misses first two games for France, suspended for homophobic insult during a game

 

[Dinowolf]

Eddie Jones has asked the referees to be more consistent at the 6N esp. over defending mauls and the put-in at scrums.

http://www.skysports.com/rugby-unio...ees-need-to-be-more-consistent-at-six-nations

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Agree completely on the crooked feed. That has become ridiculous.

 

[Parkins left foot]

Dominant display by Wales today - only one team in it really

 

[BillyDee]

Awfully kind of Wales to allow the consolation score, but Scotland were worse than dire.